Islamabad:
In a major breakthrough in the investigation of the illegal sale of Pakistani citizens’ personal data, investigators identify 139 platforms that are allegedly involved in the racket it appeared on Wednesday.
According to sources, cases are soon expected to be registered followed by arrests of those responsible.
According to sources in the Ministry of the Interior, a special exploration team (SIT) from the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has completed a significant portion of its probe for sale of citizens’ data over the Internet and social media.
During the study, investigators found that the illegal business was run through 139 online platforms.
Sits has tracked 18 mobile applications, 17 sites and two YouTube channels that have allegedly sold data for money. In addition, 75 Facebook pages, 10 Instagram accounts, 12 telegram -channels and 10 Tiktok accounts were identified as directly involved in the racket.
Investigators revealed that some operators had created dedicated Facebook pages and WhatsApp groups to open marketing their services and attracted buyers to stolen or leaked data.
“In some cases, even these platforms duped their own customers by taking payments and then either disappearing, closing numbers or sending fake data,” a source revealed.
The NCCIA team is expected to move into the second phase of its operation soon, where formal cases will be registered and arrested.
The probe was launched after Express News, which was first reported on the sale of citizens’ data last year in 2024, and again on September 7 this year when it sent another report that postponed a fresh leak. Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi subsequently noted, ordered a full investigation and instructed those responsible to be brought to justice.
Following his instructions, NCCIA formed General Waqaruddin Syed formed his and made it finish the investigation within 14 days.
Although the team later requested and was awarded another three weeks, sources said it has now completed the most important parts of its work and is ready to continue.
